East Anglian Air Ambulance launches new fundraising challenge

EAAA normally organizes several mass participation challenge events throughout the year, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to help keep its yellow helicopters flying and saving lives. These events cannot go ahead this year due to the pandemic, so the charity is asking its supporters to take part in ‘Together We Run’ instead, a virtual fundraising challenge from 14-20 September, to run (or walk) a combined 2,000 miles, wherever and whenever suits them. 

If successful, this virtual running event could become a regular addition to the charity’s event calendar, along with its ‘Only the Brave’ muddy obstacle run and ‘Trek 24’ walking challenges.  

A 2,000-mile target has been chosen as EAAA was established in September 2000, twenty years ago. EAAA would like to thank the people of East Anglia for their incredible support over the last 20 years which has enabled EAAA to help more than 17,000 local people when they needed emergency care. EAAA does not receive regular government funding and relies on the generosity and kindness of local people to save lives. 

To add an extra element of fun to this challenge, there will also be four Together We Run teams, headed up by members of the EAAA crew. Deputy Medical Director Doctor Pam Chrispin, Consultant Doctor Neil Berry, Consultant Doctor Drew Welch and Doctor Joanna Stevens. 

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of these teams. Team points will be awarded not just on the number of miles completed per team, but also for every pound raised to help keep the EAAA crews airborne and saving lives.

Team Captain, Deputy Medical Director, Dr Pam Chrispin said: “If you take part in Together We Run, you could be in my team! I’ve been a doctor with EAAA for 12 years and just love everything about this charity, especially the way that it puts its patients at the centre of everything it does. 

“It’s really simple. We can’t fly without community support and donations, and we’re incredibly lucky to have been here for 20 years already. We’re really excited to be organizing our first virtual challenge event to ensure that our fundraising can carry on safely this year, so I encourage everyone to take part – even if it’s just walking one or two miles. Your support will help to keep our yellow helicopters flying and saving lives. 

“I’ll be aiming to run three miles. I used to run a lot, but age and dodgy hips curtailed that some years ago, so three miles is going to be painful for me. If I can do that, anyone can play their part, so please commit, even if it’s just one mile. Every mile earns a pile!”